Richard (Dick) Edward Stephenson
September 26, 1925 - February 29, 2016
In the early morning hours of February 29th, on the twelfth anniversary of his beloved wife Margaret's death, Richard slipped away peacefully in his sleep at Saskatoon City Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Dick and Margaret Stephenson and his brother Max. Richard will be deeply missed by his daughter Bonnie (Art Baalim), grandsons Fraser (Candace Lapointe), Liam, step-grandsons Galt (Roxane), Burke and great-granddaughter Emma, sister Kathleen (Gus Froese), brother-in-law Jack Paice, sister-in-law Katherine Shaw and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard grew up in farming communities in the Lockwood-Drake area and remained immensely appreciative and proud of his rural roots. His distinguished career as an educator began in a rural school with forty students in ten grades when he was a few weeks shy of his eighteenth birthday. In 1949 he married Margaret Shaw and moved to Wapella to become principal of the school and where their daughter Bonnie was born. Later he was superintendent of schools for the Govan School Unit and concluded his career after many years as director of education with the Moose Jaw School District #1. Eight years ago Richard moved to Saskatoon to be close to his family. He made many friends during his years living in Luther Riverside Terrace and received kind and compassionate care from the staff at Prairie Spring Care Home. Richard lived a life of service. He gave back to the community through participation and leadership in all levels of professional organizations, Rotary Club, Minto United Church, Masonic Lodge to name just a few. His love, support and pride in his family knew no bounds. The word most commonly used when describing him is gentleman. In all settings he was unfailingly considerate of others, thoughtful, polite, and even in his final difficult months continued to express appreciation and gratitude to those around him. We were very blessed to have him in our lives and he will live on in our hearts. A Memorial Service will be held in Moose Jaw and will be announced at a later date. In living memory of Richard, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Dayna Smith-Short Funeral Director